Chapter 1 - On the First Day

It was just a few minutes before midnight, on a clear moonless night when he was born. He was a singleton and his momma expected he would be the only kitten she would ever give birth to. But, she purred to herself, he was definitely a keeper. Less than a minute old, he was already wobbling around, head bobbing and nose twitching, looking for something to eat.
After breakfast and his first bath, momma Bella curled herself into a ball, with him snuggled into the middle, and wrapped her tail around both of them to keep everyone warm and cozy. Bella knew they must rest now. She was expecting important visitors before daybreak The news of this baby's birth would be all over the colony by early morning and all the others would want to meet him.
Sure enough, it felt like she just closed her eyes, when she heard the rustle of the first visitor settling down beside her. Ohh, I'd love to have a few more moments of peace and quiet, before it starts, she thought, but...Good morning Momma, she purred sleepily as the Queen of the colony made her presence known. I hear he's arrived, stated Penchance. May I see him?Of course Momma, Bella murmered as she uncurled from her warm nest. Here he is.
Penchance, closed her eyes, and prepared herself for her first look at her grandson. O my he is very handsome, she purred when she opened her eyes again. He had dark, solid dark tabby stripes on his legs, face and even on his miniscule tail. She could see the definite shape of the double crown markings on his forehead. His ears, while barely visible, and still tucked very close to his head were dark and, yes, they showed the promise of tufts on the tips. He was definitely a prince. Perchance smiled to herself Perhaps this was the one the colony had been waiting for.
What will his name be? whispered Bella. She knew this kitten's name was crucial to his wellbeing and to that of her whole colony. That's why naming was always the responsibility of the king and queen. They were the holders of history. They alone recorded the stories of the entire colony in their memories and it was their duty to pass this history to the royal kittens. This must be done by daybreak on the day of the kitten's birth, or dreadful hardship would befall the colony for many seasons. And it was especially important on the birth of a royal tom kitten, because he would go into the world far beyond the boundaries of his birthplace and find a mate from another colony when he was grown. This was the way of all cats and all cats recorded history in this way from the beginning of time.
His name shall be, Queen Penchance started to say...when suddenly she was interrupted by a commotion at the entrance to the den. Wait! a voice growled from the darkness. Do not name this kitten until I have seen him with my own eyes, and know him for a prince. O Gracious Keeper of our Lives, sighed the Queen, it's your father the King, Bella. Apparently he's back from his latest tour of the pig stys and slop shops in the outskirts of the city and wants his part in naming your kit. I'll deal with this...The Queen rose calmly from Bella's bedside and strolled towards the voice. What on earth do you think you're doing, she said, keeping her eyes focused sternly on the tomcat. Do you not realize the fate of our whole colony resides with passing on our memories to this youngster before day breaks. What possible interest do you have in naming him? You, who return to your colony once or twice per season and spend the rest of your time doing goodness know what, with little thought for your responsibilities.
My interest in this kit, is that of a grandfather, no less than yours as its grandmother. growled Lavender, the King. However, before I make the acquainteance of our new prince, I must tell you my uncommon news. Three hours past, as I was making my way home, I came across a young kit crying and alone by the roadside. He was barely more than newborn, his mother lying dead in the grass, a victim of some animal of the night. As King, I could not leave this kit to die from cold or starvation, or some other horror, nor could I safely bring it to this colony until I was sure he was properly named and had received the living memories.
What have you done you old fool? hissed Penchance, losing her composure for a few seconds. Do you mean you have given this waif our colonies memories, before our long awaited prince received his. Do you realize the significance of this... You have given away your grandson's birthright. You well know it is the liferight of the firstborn grandson to receive both grandparent's memories in order to maintain the link to the others in this world and to those in the world beyond the bridge.
Of course I know this, my lovely Penchance, but what could I do? Cats must always watch out for each other. This kit would have died several hours back had I not taken him in. And just look at him, my dear, I believe he is well suited to become part of our family. Lavender waved his paw and out of the darkness, stepped a scruffy ginger-striped tomcat carrying a tiny bundle gently in his mouth. Penchance stared at her husband, her green eyes brilliant with curiosity, then opening wide with astonishment. The baby kit before her was an identical twin to the one in Bella's paws, except his tabby marking were blue/grey in color and he had a tiny white tip on his little tail.
Quit arguing your two and bring the baby to me, Bella murmered, I can see he's freezing and hear him crying for food. I will never have another kitten and I have plenty of milk to feed two babies. The king and queen looked at the kit, then at each other, and realized what would be done, was already done. This kit already shared the memories of the colony and had received his name. There was very little else they could do, but accept that fate had made this choice for them and love both kits as young princes of Colony Whiteflower Field.
What ridiculous name have you chosen for this new prince? asked Penchance. His name is Prince Leopold the Plucky and Brave, declared Lavender, with just a hint of mischief hiding behind his whiskers. And what name have you chosen for our other grandson? His name, since before this and five other lifetimes has been Lukas, First Prince of Loyalty and Honor, decreed Penchance. So saying, the queen walked over to Lukas, placed him gently between her front paws, close to her heart and nuzzled him quietly on the tummy, the forehead and the chest, while purring steadily. After a few moments, she spoke softly to him, saying, "it is done, my beautiful grandson. These memories are yours to share with those who come after you. " Then, she licked him softly on the nose and carried him back to his mother, while Lavender quietly placed Leopold beside his brother. Both kits immediately remembered they were hungry and after just a few seconds, quietly settled down to their second breakfast of the day.
Bella, both of these are your kits and kits of our colony. We and all cats of Whiteflower Field bind them to us from this day forward. It is our honor and duty to care for them and watch out for them, now and in all our lives, decreed Penchance and Lavender, in harmony, while Bella nodded her head sleepily in agrement.
Come Lavender, we must leave this new family to rest. And, we must prepare the announcement of their arrival. I think they're asleep already agreed the Old King, winking at her with another one of his famous grins hiding in his whiskers...perhaps you'd like to settle down with me for a bit of a nap with me before the day begins? Get out of here, you silly old tomcat, laughed Penchance, walking nonchalantly toward her own den, her tail, curling elegantly across her back. Don't you think you've made enough of a nuisance of yourself for one night?